Shen Qinghe was ordered to leave the capital this time, and he acted very discreetly. He did not display the ceremonial guards of an imperial envoy, nor did he prepare luxurious carriages. His entourage was very small, consisting of only Song Qianhu, a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, two officials from the Ministry of Rites, and a dozen or so capable guards.
Just outside the city gate, Shen Qinghe suddenly pulled on the reins. He regretted his impulsiveness. He had only seen that woman surnamed Xiao. She met so many people every day, what could possibly be the connection? He was out investigating a case and probably wouldn't see her for two or three months. He should at least say a proper goodbye.
"Lord Shen, is there something amiss?" Commander Song rode forward and asked in a low voice.
Shen Qinghe snapped out of his reverie. It was too late for regrets now. He might as well hurry up and finish his business so he could return to see her sooner. So he regained his composure and said, "It's alright. Come with me as soon as possible. We need to reach the post station before dark." With that, he gently spurred his horse, and the steed galloped off toward the official road.
Meng Zhao rushed home, just as she was about to pack her bags and catch up with Shen Qinghe, she remembered what Afu had said: Shen Qinghe was traveling light this time, and if she wanted to catch up, she would definitely have to take a carriage, so how could she catch up? Besides, she didn't know which road he was taking, or how she would be able to find him.
After calming down, the packing process slowed down. The best way now was to go directly to his destination to find him. But since he was going to Huainan, he couldn't just deliver a message; he had to do something more substantial.
Xu Yunrong pushed the door open and came in. Seeing Meng Zhao still bent over her desk, she said with concern, "Zhao Zhao, have you been busy all day? If there's anything you need, just give the order. Why do you have to do everything yourself?"
Meng Zhao then came to her senses and rubbed her sore wrists: "Mother, you're back. How is everything at the other house?"
"It's quite a coincidence. As soon as I arrived at the villa, that girl Yin Chun came up to me. She said that if I hadn't come over, she would have rushed into the city that afternoon. She said that yesterday, the managers of several general stores in the city went to the villa, and they all clamored to take more goods. She was not sure what had happened and was just about to come over to ask you."
"Is that so?" It seems news travels really fast in the capital.
"That's right. I happened to go there, and after explaining the situation to her, she understood. We then combined the order volumes of those shops and arranged the shipment schedule for the next two weeks."
Meng Zhao tugged at Xu Yunrong's arm and said in a coquettish tone, "Mother, you've really worked hard."
"It's nothing," Xu Yunrong said indulgently, then pulled her right hand, which was holding the pen, and gently massaged the knuckles that were slightly red from writing for a long time.
A moment later, Meng Zhao took a piece of paper from the table and handed it to Xu Yunrong. "Mother, this is a new drawing I made. I'll have to trouble you to go to the other courtyard again tomorrow to tell the craftsmen about it so that it can be made as soon as possible."
Xu Yunrong took the drawing and examined it carefully, and couldn't help but feel puzzled. "It looks like a carriage, but the horses and people are drawn. It looks more like a decoration."
Meng Zhao turned around, took a Huarong Road puzzle from the bookshelf, and asked, "Mother, do you know how to play this?"
"How could the Huarong Road Goddess not know how to play? It's just about moving these small wooden blocks and finally letting this red cube come out of the exit."
Seeing this, Meng Zhao picked up one of the wooden blocks and said, “That’s right, Mother. Look at these drawings I made. What if we replace this smallest square with a single-person wooden carriage, this long strip with a covered carriage, and this largest red square with a two-horse carriage, and then move these vehicles so that the two-horse carriage can get out of the exit?”
Xu Yunrong's eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands in surprise, "It sounds like the same game, but now that you mention it, it seems even more interesting."
“That’s exactly right! Look at these ordinary Huarong Roads, they’re just wooden blocks after all. Even if you want to sell them for a high price, they’ll always seem a bit overpriced. But now, if we replace these wooden blocks with exquisitely carved vehicles, and then pack them in a nice wooden box, and say they’re limited edition, selling them exclusively to high-ranking officials and nobles, we can definitely get a good price.”
These people who are following the trend are following the emperor's lead. They are not ordinary people. Even if a Huarong Road puzzle is expensive, it won't be that expensive. It's just a piece of cake for them. If it's not high-class, how can it show that they are of noble status?
Xu Yunrong clicked her tongue in amazement, "Zhaozhao, how did I give birth to such a smart daughter like you? You're not satisfied until you've emptied other people's pockets, are you?"
Meng Zhao chuckled twice, "As the saying goes, like mother, like daughter. I'm so smart, it's all thanks to you!"
Xu Yunrong was amused and smiled broadly. "You have such a sweet tongue. But speaking of which, why don't you come with me to the villa tomorrow? You could explain things to the craftsmen properly."
"Mother, I'll be going out for a while. I'll leave the affairs of the capital to you and Father."
"Go out? Where to?"
"The braised pork shop recently opened a new branch in Huainan. Although Shen Yun is there keeping an eye on things, it's the first time, and I'm worried about it. I want to go and see for myself."
Xu Yunrong knew her daughter was a restless girl, always going here and there, and she was used to it, so she asked, "When are you leaving?"
"I'll be leaving early the day after tomorrow, so I have to visit various shops tomorrow and won't be able to accompany Mother to the other residence."
Xu Yunrong snorted and deliberately put on a stern face, saying, "Fine, since you've already made up your mind, telling your mother is just a notification."
Seeing this, Meng Zhao hugged Xu Yunrong's waist tightly: "Mom~ don't be angry! I promise I'll come back as soon as possible. I'll think of you every day on the way and bring you the best gift!"
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